The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-09-01
THE WHEELING INCIDENT.

the same class Of men who were determined
to force the President upon the National
Encampment, and their motives were pre-
cisely the same.
There is no association in the country that
makes rs determined Efforts TO keep ont Of
politics as the GAR and which succeeds as
well when unmolested by outside interfer-
enoe. it's rules are very stringent against the
introduction ofpolitics IN any shape, and these
are continually being emphasized by pre-
cept and example. Commanders-in-Chief and
Commanders of Departments and Posts are
constantly on the alert against any act which
may have partisan character. One Com
mander-in Chief went so Ear as TO prohibit
the wearing of GAR badges at political
meetings and demonstrations. These whole
some restrictions are supported by the good
sense Of every man in the Order. Nobody
cares what mans politics is, so long as he
was a good soldier and is a good comrade.
His service for his country has certainly
earned for him the right TO think and vote as
he pleases on any of the questions which
array the people into parties In the Post
room, in the Encampment and in the Re
union politics is never mentioned All
meet together in precisely the same spirit
that they used TO meet around their camp
fires on the banks Of the Rappahannock and
the Cumberland.
But there is a class Of politicians outside
the Order who seem determined that gath
erings Of soldiers shall not be allowed 10 pass
of in this way. They are full Of deyilish
anxiety to force the disturbing wedge of
partisanship into the harmony of these as
semblages OF comrades.
This is precisely what occurred in Wheel
ing There was gathered there the largest
and most enthusiastic assemblage of ex-sol-
diers ever seen in the great Valley of the
Ohio. A larger number Of the survivors OF
the men who fought for and saved West
Virginia were assembled than had ever been
brought together since the gallant old Army
Of West Virginia was disbaBded. Other
veterans came IN large numbers from the
towns and cities Of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
The people Of wheeling were glad 10 see
them, and entertained them royalty. Among
the comrades were large number Of prom
inent public men aud politicians, such as
President Hayes, Gov. J. b. Foraker and
others Of different political faiths. But poll
tics was forgotten OF ignored by all of these
comrades They talked-as soldiers do when
they meet-over their campaigns; told in
cidents Of the march, the camp and the bat
tie, and exulted over the restored Union and
National prosperity which had crowned
their efforts and sacrifices.
Naturally, this pleasant harmony was gal
and wOrmwo0d TO some outside politicians
and particularly TO an ex-Confederate who
edits rabidly partisan paper in Wheeling
He resolved 10 do something which would
probably introduce dissension, and give him
self and his paper nOtoriety. He crowned
number Of irritating acts by stretching
across the street, through which the process
sion was 10 pass, banner bearing thu
picture of the present incumbent Of tn,
Office Of President OF the United States, anG
candidate for reelection, with a legenC
Of fulsome adulation. He made offensive,
boasts Of what lac intended TO accomplish
by this. He was going 10 force the GAR
10 bow their heads to this partisan emblem
He knew the feeling that had before BEEF
, manifested toward Mr.. Cleveland by th
veterans, and deliberately calculated upol
, the result. ii was as grossly inbospitable
9 thing as was ever done in city where com
rades had been invited TO meet We do no
think that ever before, in the history of re
. unions and other soldier gatherings, ther
4 nos OocA GA ~AANHABe AA4th-N W ioASS Solhh3
TO march under partizan banner, and Gel
tainly not under the banner Of man agains
y whom large portion Of the soldiers to sa
= the least, had strong feeling. When the con
rades saw the trap that was laid for ther
there was a unanimous outburst Of ange
= but division Of opinion as TO what wa
l. best TO be done. A large majority of til
: comrades obeyed their inclinations an
4 marched around the banner. Others, VIII
; thought the best way was TO ignore the ma
: Ter, marched straight on without paying an
: attention TO the flag. 1t did not matte
4 which they did, their act would have bee
# grossly mysrepresented. If they had a
! marched under il in respectful silence
p would have been heralded to the country :
Al large as I" a scathing rebuke of the real so
n. diers 10 the FaiTchilds and Tanners, and Il
~ shriekers Of the CARP As it was, the e.
= Confederate editor shrielIs and howls in Il
~ rage against the GAR.
e Naturally, the affair created much excit
rs ment, and in the evening the Governor
n West Virginia, an Confederate, who, hor